CUMNOCK MP Bill Grant has been slammed for appearing to fall asleep during a debate in Parliament.

A picture passed onto the Chronicle appears to show the Conservative MP pictured sitting behind Moray MP Douglas Ross with his eyes closed, fast asleep during the debate on pensions equality for women.

Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley MSP Jeane Freeman has hit out at the MP for disrespecting the plight of the Women Against State Pension Inequality.

The SNP MSP said: “Not only did Bill Grant MP refuse to sign the WASPI pledge to support WASPI women in their fight for pension equality a few months ago, he fails to give the WASPI debate in parliament the attention it deserves by falling asleep on the job.”

However, Mr Grant has claimed that he wasn’t sleeping during the debate on pensions equality for women and that, instead, he was “listening intently”.

The Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock MP said: “People who know me or who have observed me at meetings tell me I have an occasional mannerism when listening intently or speaking passionately.

“This involves closing my eyes - as well as sometimes gritting my teeth and screwing up my face.

I’m sure it’s not pretty to watch, and I apologise for that.

“However, I went along to this debate to listen carefully to arguments on all sides – and not for a siesta.

“As I have said before, I share the WASPI aspiration of achieving a fair outcome in pensions for all UK citizens.

“I also share the UK government aim of securing a sustainable state pension.

“If I can raise issues to help redress inequality, I will do so.”